A 14-year-old boy sustained injuries after being attacked by a wild bear in the Banihal area, local reports said on Saturday.
The incident occurred when the teenager was close to his residential area. According to local sources, the wild animal suddenly emerged from a nearby forested patch and attacked him, causing injuries before local residents rushed to the scene and managed to chase the bear away.
The injured teenager was immediately shifted to a nearby medical facility for treatment. His condition was reported to be stable by hospital sources.
Wildlife officials and local residents have expressed growing concern over the increasing frequency of wild animals straying into residential habitations across the region, raising fresh concerns over human-wildlife conflict and safety measures in forested and semi-forested areas.